With competition from social media and other online diversions, cultural attractions like museums must find innovative ways to keep the public’s attention. Swiss institutions are experimenting with new technology and special events.

“Swiss museums are trying to become more interactive – it’s only just starting,” notes Brigitte Schaffner. The course administrator for Basel University’s art management programme explains that local cultural institutions are, in part, taking a page from the book of their United States’ counterparts.

“Some museums, especially American ones, have been doing this for quite a while – using social media to let the public become a part of what happens in the museum and even part of the process of what’s exhibited,” she explains.

Amal was one of my sources for this story. She asked if we could take a photo together, so I did my best holding the smartphone at arm’s length.

A change to the Swiss penal code on female genital mutilation (FGM) came into force on July 1; it aims to prevent Swiss-based families from having their daughters circumcised, whether in Switzerland or abroad.

I did a pair of stories on this topic for swissinfo.ch; you can find them at the links below:

Spotted this sign in Langenthal, canton Bern, while looking for a place to eat. Decided this sounded more filling than a pizza! The waitress said that loosely translated,”Winn Fat” meant prosperity. We left with pleasantly full bellies plus leftovers.